Portable pump



Feb. 23, 1965 F. H. SPRINGER PORTABLE PUMP 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 4, 1963 r w 8 DOA m V 9 .m E H. M 1K m m mm 8 H w ,m 3 k vm m w an Feb. 23, 1965 F. H. SPRINGER PORTABLE PUMP 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 4, 1965 Frederick h. Springer INVENTOR.

Feb. 23, 1965 F. H.ISPRINGER PORTABLE PUMP 6 Shets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 4, 1963 "m m .m m 0 A w W S 1 E W k w w H w wow w NQ @Q o9 sww www gllzi m 1 wmP--. 3w @t m v w\ Q 8w w& m& w Q v h t Q om.

Feb. 23, 1965 F. H. SPRINGER PORTABLE PUMP 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 4, 1963 Rm W H'ea'erick h. Springer INVENTOR.

mmw

Feb. 23, 1965 F. H. SPRINGER PORTABLE PUMP 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Jan. 4, 1963 mvw .wmw mmw 6% Q wmw vmw Q sum wmw vvN R m. w wvw m w m mm wnw m DQM. MN

United States Patent i Filed Jan. 4, 1963, Ser. No. 249,414 Claims. (Cl. 241-276) The present invention generally relates to new and improved pumping devices and more particularly to improved portable pumps of the direct flow type with the structure of the present invention representing certain novel improvements over that disclosed in prior Patent No. 2,744,465.

An object of the present invention is to provide a portable pump connected with a three-point hitch assembly so that the entire pump assembly may be supported from a tractor with the pump mechanism being driven from a power take-olf from the tractor thereby providing a completely portable pump connected with a tractor which is powered from the power take-off of the tractor.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable pump of the screw-type having an elongated rigid tube with a screen inlet at one end thereof together with an elongated drive shaft having the screw-type impeller thereon mounted thereon adjacent the water inlet with the power shaft for the impeller extending concen trically through the rigid tube and being journalled therein by suitable bearings which are lubricated by the water being pumped.

. A further object of the present invention is to provide a portable pump having an elongated rigid tube with a double outlet at the end thereof remote from the inlet end of the tube whereby the water pumped by th pump may be discharged to either side ofthe tube as desired.

Still another feature of the present invention is to provide a screw-type propeller pump of a portable nature whereby the screw-type impeller or propeller is associated with an inlet adapter in such a manner that a cutting action will occur therebetween for chopping foreign material into very small sections for ease of transport of such foreign material through the pump by the flow of the liquid passing therethrough.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a portable pump adapted for connection with a threepoint hitch of a tractor in which the various shafts, impellers and the like are metallized or chrome plated or otherwise provided with a coating of wear-resistant material to assure long life to the components of the pump.

Yet another important feature of the present invention is to provide a portable pump having a centrifugal type impeller and an inlet tube in communication with the center of the impeller and an elongated discharge tube spaced laterally from the rotational axis of the impeller and generally in parallel relation to the power shaft for th impeller thereby rendering the pump structure quite compact and effective in its pumping operation.

Still another feature of the present invention is the provision of a portable pump having the impeller orientated adjacent the intake end thereof so that when the intake end is lowered into a lake, pond, river, irrigation ditch or the like, the pump will be automatically and continuously primed.

Yet another important object of the present invention is to provide a portable pump adapted to be connected to a three-point bitch on a conventional tractor and driven from the power take-off thereof which is relatively simple in construction, long lasting, dependable, self-priming, easy to use and relatively inexpensive to manufacture and operate.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter de- 3,i7,64b Patented Feb. 23, 1965 ice scribed and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of the portable pump of the present invention illustrating its relationship to the tractor and the three-point hitch thereon;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the construction of FIGURE 1 with one of the tractor wheels removed and illustrating the manner of use of the pump;

FIGURE 3 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 3-3 of FIGURE 2 illustrating the orientation of the pump in relation to the A-frame of the three-point hitch;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmental longitudinal sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken generally along a horizontal plane passing through the center of the pump;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmental longitudinal vertical sectional view of the intake end portion of the pump;

FIGURE 6 is a bottom view of the intake end of the FIGURE 7 is a transverse, sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 7-7 of FIGURE 5 illustrating the construction of the screw-type impeller;

FIGURE 8 is a transverse, sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 88 of FIGURE 4 illustrating the support spider for the shaft;

FIGURE 9 is an exploded group perspective view illustrating the screw-typ impeller and the manner of connection thereof to the shaft;

FIGURE 10 is a top view of another form of portable FIGURE 11 is a detailed longitudinal sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 1111 of FIGURE 10 illustrating the structural details of the pump;

FIGURE 12 is a transverse, sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 12-12 of FIGURE 11 illustrating the details of the pump impeller;

FIGURE 13 is a detailed sectional view illustrating the driving connection with the impeller;

FIGURE 14 is a fragmental detailed sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 14-14 of FIGURE 13 illustrating the structural details of this portion of the invention; and

FIGURE 15 is a transverse, sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 1515 of FIGURE 11 illustrating the vanes in the intake of the pump.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, the numeral 10 generally designates the portable pump of the present invention attached to and driven from a suitable tractor generally designated by the numeral 12. As illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2, the tractor 12 includes the usual rear driving wheels 14 and a conventional three-point hitch assembly generally designated by numeral 16 and including a pair of lower arms 18 and a single upper arm 20. The lower arms 18 are pivotally attached to lugs 22 on the axle housing of the tractor 12 by pivot pins or bolts 24. The upper arm 20 is pivotally attached to lugs 26 by suitable pivot pin or bolt 28. A pair of lift arms 39 are connected to a transverse powered shaft 32 and adjustable links 34 are connected to the ends of the lift arms 30. The other ends of the links 34 are connected to an intermediate portion of the lower arms 13 in a conventional manner. The rear end of the upper arm 20 is pivoted to an A-frame generally designated by numeral 36 by a pivot bolt or a pin 38 which extends through the apex of the A-frame 36.

The A-frame 36 includes a pair of downwardly diverging strap members an interconnected by a reinforcing plate 42 at the upper end thereof. The lower ends of the strap members 49 are connected to forwardly extending lugs 44 that are pivotally and detachably connected to the rear ends of the lower arms 13 by removable pins or bolts 46 thus forming a three-point hitch assembly so thatwhen the arms 30 are moved in a vertical plane, the A-frame 36 will move generally in a vertical plane so that the A'-frame 36 will be disposed somewhatin perpendicular relation to the ground surface although it may be inclined slightly in either direction and preferably in the direction as illustrated in FIGURE 2.

Attached to the bottomof the A-frame 36 is a pair of rearwardly and inwardly extending bracket members 48 ward opposite sides of the pipe section 54. The section.

56 is also provided with a pair of depending and forwardly extending brackets 62 rigid therewith which are pivotally connected to the upstanding members 56 by removable pivot bolts or pins 64 thereby enabling pivotal movement of the portable pump unit in relation to the threepoint hitch .16. Such movement is accomplished by a piston and cylinder assembly 66 extending between a bracket 68 on the upperv end portion of the A-frame 36 and an upstanding link 70.pivotally attached to a lug 72 carried by the pipe section 56. A rod 74 is connected to the upper end of the link 76 and has its other end attached to an upstanding lug '76 on the pipe section 54 thereby enabling contraction of the piston andcylinder assembly 66 to elevate the outer end portion of the portable pump unit 10. By enabling the piston and cylinder assembly 66 to expand, the outer or inlet endof the portable pump unit may be lowered intothewater 78, as illustrated in FIG- URE 2. .The piston and cylinder assembly 66 may be connected in a suitable-manner to the hydraulic control unit of the tractor and controlled by a suitable manually operated valve so that. the orientation of the pump unit may be changed in relation to, the three-point hitch so that the forward-end of the pump unit may be properly aligned with the power take-off assembly 80 of the tractor for transmitting rotational movement to the input shaft 82 of the pump unit 10'.

The pipe sections 54- and 56 are detachably connected together by a flange 84 on the pipe section 54 and a flange 86 on the pipe section or adapter 56. A gasket 88-is interposed between the flanges 84 and 86a11d suitable bolts 90 extending through the'flanges for securing the flanges together in sealed relation. Disposed in arecess'92 in the pipe section-54 and'bridging'the joint between the flanges a 8-4- and' S5 is an annular rim 94 having a plurality of radially inwardly extending arms 96 integral therewith= This structure terminating in a cylindrical sleeve 98.- forms a supporting spider for the pump shaft 100; The

in place by a retaining disk or spring'1tl6for enabling replacement ofthebearing- 1114 if desired. The bearing'1ti-i is of resilient material such'as rubber, neoprene or the like.

The forward end of the pump shaft 104 externally threaded at 198 and the rear end of. the input shaft 82 is threadedwas at and an internally threadedcoupling.

element 112 secures. the threaded portions. 108 and 110 together. I As illustrated 'in FIGURE 4, the tubular discharge members 58 and 60 of the pipesectionor. adapter 56 each'have an annular rib 11 formed thereon and which is defined by an internal groove 116. A removable closurecap 118 is provided for one of the branches and the cap 118 includes a flange 120 capable of being forced onto the rib 114 in telescopic relation thereto and in friction engagement therewith due to the curvature of the flange 12% which is complemental to the rib 11 11 The flange 120 is suflicient to retain the'closure lid. 1181 in'position during normal operation but still is capable of being removed and placed on the other branch when desired thereby directionally controlling the discharge of water from the pump. The tubular discharge members-58 and ed -merge with each other and curve outwardly in the area designated by numeral 122 and interconnecting the tubular discharge members at the forward. endthereof is a connecting portion 124- having an internally threaded socket-126 therein receiving a packing nut or gland128 in encircling relation to the input shaft 32; Packing material 13il-is disposed in the bottom of the threaded socket; 126 as the packing nut or gland 123- engages the packing material 130 for compressing it and sealing-the periphery of the shaft 82' thereby preventing leakage of water along the shaft 82 in a conventional manner.

Attached to the connecting portion124 is a housing.

132 which includes'a chamber 134-in the rear end thereof and an oil receiving chamber 136 in the front endthereof.

shaft 82 and the sleeve 142'has'a reduced end portion 144 received-inthe bearing assembly 14ti with the shoul der formed at the inner end of the reduced end portion 144 abutting the bearing assembly 141 The reducedend' portion144-of the sleeve 142 extends 'into the chamber 134and-a pair ofseals 146 are'disposed around thereduced end portion 144 of the sleeve 142 thereby sealing the oil chamber 136 and-retaining the oil therein.

The other end of the sleeve 142'is reduced and externally threaded and is designated by numeral 148; A

bearing assembly 150-is disposed on the reduced end 143' in engagement withthe shoulder in the'same manner as the bearing assembly 141?. An annular member 152 encircles the bearing assembly 150 for retaining it in place. A retaining plate 154' is engaged with the inner end of the housing 132 and is retained in place by bolts or cap screws 156. The retaining plate 154has a central aperture 158 receiving a seal 160 for-retaining the oil in the. oil chamber 136. The seal 16tl=engages the external surface of a retaining nut 162- which'is threaded onto the externally threaded reduced extension 148-on the sleeve 1'42 which abuts the inner portion of thebearing assembly'150'thusretainingthe'assembly in place so that the bearings 150 Willserve asthrust bearings.

The end portion of the shaft 82 is externally threaded at 164and an internally threaded'flange coupling 166 is threaded onto the threaded portion 1640f the shaft 82 and is retained in place by a suitable key168.

The intake end of the pump unit 10 is illustrated in FIGURE 5 and the pipe S6CtiQI1 54 is connected to a short pipe section 1741 by a flanged coupling 172. The'shaft 1% is connected to the impeller shaft1'74 by a threaded coupling element'176 equivalent'tothe threaded coupling element 112. Connected tothe section 170 is a section.

178 which may be considered the impeller housing'section and the section173' is attached to the section 170' by a flanged coupling 180. An intake section 182 is connected to the section 1178 by a flanged coupling 184 and suitable bolts 1% are employed for securing all of the flanged couplings detachably. together. Als0, the flanged couplings in each instance include' a recessed annular portion.

188 for receiving a corresponding projecting portion in the adjacent section thereby retaining the'section in alignment.

The section 170 is provided with a plurality of radially extending-arms 190 terminating in a sleeve 192 receiving a resilient'bearing 194-which journals the'imp'eller shaft- 174. A retaining annular ring 196 is provided at one end of the bearing and a retaining ring 198 is provided at the other end. The housing 178 receives the impeller generally designated by numeral 200 which includes a central hub 202 having a tapered internal bore 284 for receiving a frusto-conical locking sleeve 206 which is mounted on the shaft 174. With the locking sleeve 286 moved into the hub 202, the hub 202 will be locked to the impeller shaft 144. Disposed on the hub 202 and formed integral therewith is a spiral flight or impeller screw 208 having a sharpened or beveled peripheral edge 210. At least, that portion of the auger screw or screw impeller disposed rearwardly is sharpened for coaction with the forward end edges of a plurality of radial supporting arms or vanes 212 carried by the rear of the section 178 and which are disposed closely adjacent the rearmost edge of the spiral screw 208 so that any foreign material passing forwardly between the vanes 212 will be cut or chopped into small segments. The vanes 212 terminate in a sleeve 214 at the inner end thereof supporting a resilient bearing 216 retained in place by retaining rings 218 at each end thereof thereby forming a bearing support for the impeller 200 on both sides thereof.

The intake section is of substantially the same diameter as the sections 178 and 17 0 and terminates in an inclined terminal end edge 220 having an inclined screen or strainer 222 incorporated therein. The inclined end edge 220 is scalloped or ridged to prevent the intake edge from engaging a fiat surface which would prevent flow if the ridges or scallops were not provided.

All of the wear components including the shaft may be constructed of corrosive resistant material and may be coated with a wear resistant material such as chrome plating or the shaft may be metallized wherever desired or constructed of stainless steel. This is also true of the impeller 200 which may have a chrome plating or may be metallized.

The power take-off of the tractor is connected to the input shaft of the pump unit by the use of a conventional universal joint and a telescopic shafting arrangement may be employed to enable variations in the orientation of the shaft longitudinally in relation to the power takeoif. Thus, by manipulating both of the three-point hitch of the tractor and the piston and cylinder assembly for raising and lowering the pump unit, the pump unit may be elevated to a position for transportation over the road along with the tractor or it may be lowered into the water as illustrated in FIGURE 2 so that the water will be available to the impeller and will automatically prime the impeller so that the pump unit will work properly without any operator having to prime the pump. Thus, only the operator of the tractor is necessary. Of course, an additional person may hook up irrigation pipes or the like or this can be done by the single tractor operator. Referring now specifically to FIGURES -15, a modified form of the pump is generally designated by numeral 230 and this form of the invention includes an elongated rigid pipe section 232 which may be of one-piece or mul tiple piece construction. The pipe 232 is spaced laterally from and generally in parallel relation to a pump drive shaft 234 rotatablyjournalled in bearing support block 236 mounted in longitudinally spaced relation on the top of the pipe section 232. The forward end of the shaft 234 is provided with an adapter 238 by virtue of which the drive shaft may be connected to a power take-off or the like and the forward end of the pipe section may be supported in any suitable manner and connected to any suitable discharge pipe.

At the outer end of the pipe 232, there is provided a tubular adapter 248 attached to the end of the pipe section 232 by a suitable flanged coupling 242. The adapter 240 is provided with a. longitudinal passageway 244 extending therethrough with one end of the passageway being closed as at 245 and there being a lateral passageway 246 communicating with the passageway 244 in an angulated manner adjacent one end of the passageway 244. Also, the adapter 240 includes a laterally extending housing 248 having an annular hollow area 250 forming a pump housing for an impeller generally designated by numeral 252. The impeller 252 is of the centrifugal type and is disposed for rotation within the hollow area 250 and the bottom of the area 258 is in communication with the passageway 246.

The housing 248 is a cylindrical adapter 254 having a pen'pheral flange 256 secured to the end of the housing 248 by removable bolts 258. The flange includes an annular offset portion 268 which is telescopically received in the opening 262 forming an entrance-way into the hollow space 250. The cylindrical adapter 254 has an offset outer end portion 264 receiving an inlet tube 266 in a telescopic manner with the inlet tube 266 being secured thereto as by welding 268 or the like. The outer end of the intake tube 266 is inclined and provided with serrations as designated by numeral 270 and a perforated screen 272 is provided across the inlet opening for screening material in substantially the same manner as the inlet in the construction of FIGURES l-9 inelusive.

As illustrated in FIGURE 15, the cylindrical adapter 254 is provided with a plurality of radial partition plates or dividers 274 which extend from the cylindrical adapter 254 inwardly. The inner ends of the plates have an offset inner edge 276 which extends laterally of the plates 274 and the free edge of the laterally offset end portions 27 6 may be sharpened if desired.

As illustrated in FIGURE 12, the impeller 252 includes a circular plate 278 having a central hub portion 288 generally in the form of a conical member. A plurality of radially extending spiral vanes 282 extend outwardly from the central hub 28!) and have an outer edge terminating in alignment with the outer peripheral edge of the backing plate 278. A front plate 284 is attached to the spiral vanes 282 adjacent the outer ends thereof for forming a centrifugal impeller having a central open area 286 for alignment with the longitudinal bore through the adapter 254. The opening 286 is defined by a cylindrical flange 288 which has sealing engagement with an annular gasket 291 disposed in a recess 292 in the end of the adapter 254 having the flange 256 thereon. Thus, the periphery of the impeller 252 is sealed from the inlet defined by the adapter 254. The vanes 274 guide the water into the impeller 252 and one portion of the impeller 252 has a segmental closure plate 290 extending radially inwardly from the flange. 286 to the center of the conical hub 280 so that it may be sharpened in opposing relation to the flanges or offset ends 276 for forming a cutter for any foreign materials including marine life which may be brought into the pump through the intake pipe 266.

Thus, as water enters the pump impeller 252, it is discharged from the periphery thereof into the hollow space 250 which is communicated through the passageway 246 into the passageway 244 and then into the pipe 232 for discharging water from the pipe 232.

As illustrated in FIGURE 11, the elongated shaft 234 is connected to a relatively short impeller shaft 296 by virtue of a threaded coupling member 298. The impeller shaft 296 is journalled in thrust bearing assemblies 299 engaging shoulders in a hollow tubular support member 3%. The hollow tubular support member 308 is disposed within a longitudinal bore 302 in the housing or casing 248 and the outer end thereof is provided with a peripheral flange 384 secured in place on the casing 248 by bolts or cap screws 385. The inner end of the tubular sleeve or adapter 300 is inclined at 306 for engagement with an inclined bottom or seat 308 formed by the inner end of the bore 382 thus centralizing the sleeve 3% in relation to the bore 308 so that the impeller pump shaft 296 will be orientated for retaining the impeller 252 properly orientated in relation to the housing 248. The inner end of the sleeve or adapter Mitt-receives a pair of seals 310 engaging the shaft 296 inwardly ofthe innermost bearing assembly 298 thus preventing leakage of lubrication; The shaft 2% then passes through a hollow area 312 and is journalled in a threaded member 314 carried by the inner Wall 316 which defines the hollow area 312; The shaft 296 is provided with a reduced threaded end portion 318 for screw threaded engagement with a corresponding bore 32% in the impeller 252 and the impeller 252 has a recess 322' therein which receives the end of the shaft 296 as illustrated in FIGURE 13. Mounted on the shaft 296 is a' sealing washer 3124 having a plurality of radially extending fingers 326 for interdigital relationship to a plurality of axially extendinglugs or fingers 328' carried by the hub'portion'2S0 of the impeller 252 and defining anextension of the bore 320- as illustrated in FIGURE 14. For retaining the sealing Washer 324 against'theinner end'of the threaded member 31-4, there is provided a coil compression spring 339 extending between the inner end of the recess 322 and the flange 332 on a cylindrical sleeve'334- which is disposed in spaced concentric relation to the shaft 296 and which is urged into engagement with the gasket or washer 324 by the spring 33tl'thus retainingthe gasket or Washer in place. A pair of suitable O-ring seals 336" are provided between the sleeve 334 and-the" shaft 296 to properly seal this particular area; Disposed in the hollow area 312, the shaft 2%is provided with a peripheral'flange 333 which will further prevent passage of liquid along the shaft 296.

The bearings298may be of the self-aligningtype and the tubular sleeve 3% will be automatically properly aligned Whenthe inclined endfitld is engagedwith the inclined bottom 3030f the longitudinal'bore 392. Thisarrangement' ofcomponents will securely'hold the shaft in alignmentso that the pump impeller will be properly orientated'in the hollow area 25%; i

In this formof the invention,,-the various wear-surfaces are preferably metallized or chrome plated to increase the life expectancy thereof; The shaft maybe constructed of stainless steel or similar non-corrosive materials enabling the device to be used with substantially all types of liquids.

Th'eparticular tapered construction of the inlet opening which is covered with a screen enables the liquid in the irrigation ditch or the like from which the liquid is being pumpedt-o be effectively pumped even though the water is substantially shallow. Inasmuchas the inlet opening becomes substantially horizontal when it is lowered into the Water, it makes itpossible to pump the Water as long as the liquid is one: or more inches above the screen in the inlet opening. Actually, the-centrifugal pump bowl assembly illustrated inFIG'URES 10-15 may be exchanged with the direct type of pump illustrated in FIG- URES 17-9. In the several instances, the rubber'bearings may be provided with spiral flutes for receiving lubricating water that is'being pumped. The vanes 282 may vary in number and'are continuous'in acircular spiral form to the outer circumference of the impeller. The vanes also will form a sharpcuttingkedgefor shearing action'with the partitions 274 thus giving'a shredding action to prevent fiber'or flesh of marine life from retarding the'flow of liquid which woul-d'normally occur by virtue of the marine life folding over the edges of the pressureforming vanes.

The foregoing is considered as illustrativeonly of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not'desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the inventionvas'claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A portable pump assembly for use in combination with a'tractor having a three-point hitch assembly, and a 8 power take-on shaft, which portable pump assembly col prises;

(a) an elongated, rigid pipe section,

(b) an intake section connected to the inlet end of said elongated, rigid'pipe section, a

(c) equal-angular, Y-s'naped; laterally extending, tubu V lar discharge members connected to the opposite end of said elongated, rigid pipe section,

(d) a rodconnecting the three-point hitch assembly of the tractor with'said elongated, rigid pipe section for'movement of saidpipe section'in a vertical plane to' enable said intake section thereof to be at least partially submerged in abody of water,

(e) a shaft journaled within said intakesection and extending axially of said elongated, rigid pipe section. and extending outward therefrom medially of said equal-angular, Y-shaped, laterally extending, tubular discharge members, a

(f) a pump impeller, which pump impeller is mounted on and secured to saidshaft in said intake section, to cause a flow of water in said-intake section, said elongated, rigidpipe section, andat least one of said tubular discharge members upon "rotation of said shaft,

g) connection means connecting the power take-elf shaft of the tractor in driving relation with said shaft mounting saidpump impeller to rotate said shaft.

2. A portable pump assembly for use with a tractor,

which tractor has a three-point hitch assembly, and a power take-oil shaft, which portable" pump assembly 'comprises;

(a) an elongated, 'rigidpipe section, (b) an intake section-secured to one end of said elongated, rigid pipe'section,

(1') said intake section having a diameter coextensive with said elongated, rigid pipe section, (0) tubular discharge members at the other end of said elongated, rigidpipe section, (d) means supporting saidelongated, rigid pipe section from-the-three point hitch assembly of. the tractor, whereby the pipe section may be raised and lowered in a vertical plane, thereby'en'abling the in take section to be partially submergedin a body of water, (e) pump means within said intake section, including (1') an impeller shaft formounting an impeller, (2) aspiral impeller having'a hub therein disposedon said impellershaft within saidintake section and having an external diameter-substantially equal to the internal diameter of said in take section, (3) said impeller hub having a central, tapered bore therein,

(4) a tapered locking device inserted'into said tapered bore of said hub between said hub and said impeller shaftfor locking said hub to said impeller-shaft, V

' (5) drive 'means including an elongatedishaft, disposed concentrically and'longitudinally within said'elongated, rigid pipe section and bein'gdetachably connected to said'impeller shaft,

(f) the power take-offshaftof'the tractor being drivingly connected'to said elongated shaft within said elongated, rigid pipe section and to said impeller shaft within saidintake section to cause rotation of said impeller shaft'ofsaid pump means to cause flow of water along saidelongated,- rigid pipe section to the discharge members,

(g) a pair of-'-longitudinally spaced-apart groups of vanes, each group having a plurality'of radially arrangedvanes, secured within said intake section,

(h) a bearing sleeve disposed centrally of said radial vanes on each side of said impeller, and being in supported relation on said radial vanes within said intake section,

(1) a fluted rubber bearing provided in said hearing sleeve and journaling said impeller shaft therein,

(i) the peripheral and end edges of said impeller being sharpened for coaction with the adjacent ends of the radial vanes for cutting up marine life or material entering said intake section.

3. A portable pump assembly for use in combination with a tractor having a hitch assembly and a power takeoff shaft, which portable pump assembly comprises;

(a) an elongated, rigid pipe section having an inlet opening and an outlet opening formed therein,

(b) a pump housing connected to the inlet end of said elongated, rigid pipe section, which pump housing has an intake opening formed therein,

(1) said pump housing mounted on the end of said elongated, rigid pipe section being in axially offset relation with respect thereto, and having a discharge opening connected with the inlet opening of said elongated, rigid pipe section,

(2) said pump housing including an annular, hollow space,

() a rod connecting the hitch assembly of the tractor for movement of said pipe section in a vertical plane to enable said intake section thereof to be at least partically submerged in a body of water,

(d) a rotatable impeller disposed in said annular space and including a central inlet for water, I

(1) said annular space in said housing being in communication with the interior of said elongated, rigid pipe section at the periphery of the space, thereby enabling the discharge of water from the impeller housing into said elongated, rigid pipe section,

(e) an impeller shaft journaled in said pump housing,

(1) said impeller being mounted on said impeller shaft for rotation therewith,

(f) a power shaft mounted on said elongated, rigid pipe section in journaled relation and extending parallel therewith and connecting said impeller shaft to the power take-01f shaft of the tractor for driving the impeller and causing discharge of water into said elongated, rigid pipe section to be discharged through said outlet opening therein.

4. The structure as defined in claim 3 wherein said impeller includes a circular backing plate, an annular front plate spaced from the backing plate, a plurality of spiral vanes extending from the center of the backing plate to the periphery thereof and being connected rigidly to the backing plate and to the front plate, said front plate having a cylindrical flange extending outwardly therefrom defining an inlet opening for the impeller.

5. The structure as defined in claim 4 wherein said intake adapter includes a cylindrical inlet forming member including a plurality of radial vanes formed therein, said impeller including a radial plate having sharpened edges for in close shearing relation with the adjacent end edges of the vanes for forming means for shearing marine life or other foreign material entering the pump.

6. The structure as defined in claim 3 wherein said housing includes a longitudinal bore, a cylindrical sleeve disposed in said bore and including bearing means journalling the impeller shaft therein, the inner end of the bore in the housing and the inner end of the sleeve being inclined whereby the sleeve will be centered in relation to the bore when urged inwardly, means interconnecting the sleeve and the bore for urging the sleeve inwardly thereby centralizing the sleeve in relation to the bore.

7. The structure as defined in claim 3 wherein said casing includes a small annular space encircling the impeller shaft in between the bore and the annular space receiving the impeller, a screw threaded bushing extending into the casing and journalling the shaft therein, a sealing gasket in the form of a rigid plate engaging the end of the threaded bushing, means interconnecting the impeller and the gasket for rotating the gasket with the impeller, and spring means interposed between the impeller and the gasket for spring biasing the gasket towards the threaded bushing thereby forming a seal for the annular space which receives the impeller.

8. The structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said discharge means includes a equal-angular, Y-outlet fitting at the end of the pipe adjacent the tractor.

9. The structure as defined in claim 8 wherein said fitting adjacent the end of the tractor includes a pair of laterally extending flanges disposed in opposite relation to each other, and a removable closure cap for one of said branches thereby providing for directional control of the discharge of the water pumped by the pump means.

10. The structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said means for supporting the pipe section from a three-point hitch assembly includes bracket means welded to the pipe section, means pivotally connecting the bracket means to the three-point hitch assembly, and an expandible hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly interconnecting the pipe section and the three-point hitch assembly for pivoting the pipe section about the pivotal connection between the bracket and the three-point hitch assembly.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,214,677 9/40 North 10387 XR 2,664,052 12/53 Schmidt 10387 XR 2,744,465 5/56 Springer 103 87 2,749,846 6/56 Karrer 10387 2,907,277 10/59 Lessly 10387 XR 3,008,422 11/61 Crisafulli 103-87 WILLIAM W. DYER, JR., Primary Examiner. 

1. A PORTABLE PUMP ASSEMBLY FOR USE IN COMBINATION WITH A TRACTOR HAVING A THREE-POINT HITCH ASSEMBLY, AND A POWER TAKE-OFF SHAFT, WHICH PORTABLE PUMP ASSEMBLY COMPRISES; (A) AN ELONGATED RIGID PIPE SECTION, (B) AN INTAKE SECTION CONNECTED TO THE INLET END OF SAID ELONGATED, RIGID PIPE SECTION, (C) EQUAL-ANGULAR, Y-SHAPED, LATERALLY EXTENDING, TUBULAR DISCHARGE MEMBERS CONNECTED TO THE OPPOSITE END OF SAID ELONGATED, RIGID PIPE SECTION, (D) A ROD CONNECTING THE THREE-POINT HITCH ASSEMBLY OF THE TRACTOR WITH SAID ELONTAGED, RIGID PIPE SECTION FOR MOVEMENT OF SAID PIPE SECTION IN A VERTICAL PLANE TO ENABLE SAID INTAKE SECTION THEREOF TO BE AT LEAST PARTIALLY SUBMERGED IN A BODY WATER, (E) A SHAFT JOURNALED WITHIN SAID INTAKE SECTION AND EXTENDING AXIALLY OF SAID ELONGATED, RIGID PIPE SECTION, AND EXTENDING OUTWARDLY THEREFROM MEDIALLY OF SAID EQUAL-ANGULAR, Y-SHAPED, LATERALLY EXTENDING, TUBULAR DISCHARGE MEMBERS, (F) A PUMP IMPELLER, WHICH PUMP IMPELLER IS MOUNTED ON AND SECURED TO SAID SHAFT IN SAID INTAKE SECTION, TO CAUSE A FLOW OF WATER IN SAID INTAKE SECTION, SAID ELONGATED, RIGID PIPE SECTION, AND AT LEAST ONE OF SAID TUBULAR DISCHARGE MEMBERS UPON ROTATION OF SAID SHAFT, (G) CONNECTION MEANS CONNECTING THE POWER TAKE-OFF SHAFT OF THE TRACTOR IN DRIVING RELATION WITH SAID SHAFT MOUNTING SAID PUMP IMPELLER TO ROTATE SAID SHAFT. 